In a dramatic turn of events, Peter Okoye of the Nigerian music duo P-Square has revealed that he received more than $800,000 in royalties connected to the group's songs. This disclosure was made during a virtual testimony before a Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday, September 21, 2026. The court hearing is part of an ongoing legal battle between Peter and his elder brother, Jude Okoye. Peter's testimony has shed new light on the financial arrangements governing P-Square during its peak years.
The $800,000 in royalties was paid by SACEM, a French music rights organisation, over a decade from 2016 to 2026. Peter Okoye made it clear that he did not share any portion of that sum with his elder brother Jude Okoye. According to Peter, the royalties belonged exclusively to him and his twin brother, Paul Okoye, as the artists responsible for creating P-Square's music. He maintained that Jude was not a member of the group, despite Jude having signed the SACEM agreement on behalf of the team.
During the cross-examination by Jude's lawyer, Clement Onwuegbunor, SAN, Peter Okoye acknowledged that Jude had directed some of the duo's music videos and signed the SACEM agreement. However, Peter insisted that these actions did not make Jude a member of P-Square or entitle him to a share of the royalties. This stance has further intensified the public interest in the long-running feud between the brothers.
The courtroom dispute is running parallel to a separate but related criminal matter involving Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited. They are facing fraud charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to which Jude has pleaded not guilty. The question of how royalties from P-Square's music catalogue were managed and distributed remains a central issue in both cases.
Peter Okoye's testimony has brought fresh scrutiny to the financial arrangements that governed P-Square during its peak years. The ongoing legal battle has seen conflicting accounts from Peter, Paul, and Jude Okoye, offering different perspectives on the group's earnings, management, and ownership of the music catalogue. This has sparked a heated debate among fans and industry observers.
The case has taken another turn with Tony Okoye's recent comments challenging claims surrounding Jude Okoye's role as P-Square's manager. Tony identified Hawwie T as the group's manager during the period in question, adding a new account to the family dispute. This development has further complicated the already contentious issue of P-Square's earnings and management.
The court has adjourned proceedings to December 8 and 9, 2026, when the case is expected to continue. As the drama deepens, fans and industry observers are eagerly awaiting the outcome of this high-profile case. The revelations from Peter Okoye's testimony have significant implications for the music industry, highlighting the complexities of royalty management and the importance of clear agreements among artists and their representatives.
Key points
- Peter Okoye received over $800,000 in royalties from SACEM between 2016 and 2026.
- Peter Okoye did not share the royalties with his elder brother Jude Okoye.
- The court battle between the brothers is ongoing, with the next hearing scheduled for December 8 and 9, 2026.
